Kansas State quarterback Ron Blaylock completed 12 of 15 passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns in Kansas State's 29-14 victory against Nebraska in 1959 at Memorial Stadium in Manhattan. The Topeka Capital-JournalFrozen in time

Joe Vader and Vern Osborne, two of Kansas State's 12 senior players in 1959, haven't forgotten the last time the Wildcats beat Nebraska in Manhattan.

By KEVIN HASKIN

The Capital-Journal

MANHATTAN -- Artifacts from Kansas State's last home victory over Nebraska have withstood the test of time.

So much so, they were dusted off this week and displayed again by two former ends.

Each of them, Joe Vader and Vern Osborne, were among the 12 seniors in 1959 who closed their season with a 29-14 victory over Nebraska.

This, after entering the game that afternoon in K-State's old Memorial Stadium -- resplendent with a new bermuda surface, but somewhat quiet with only 6,500 watching on Parents Day -- with a dismal 1-8 record, losers of their last seven and shutout victims in their previous four outings.

The game ball from that victory was awarded to Vader.

"There were no real standouts from that game, though everyone played well," Vader recalled. "Game balls were only given out when there was a win, and I probably got it because I was captain of the team."

Vader never bought a special glass case for his trophy or treated it like a prized possession. Wins over Nebraska back then weren't events that happened once every 30 years.

The victory in 1959 was the fifth time in seven years the Wildcats had beaten the Huskers, quite a roll considering K-State enters the 83rd renewal of the series today with only 10 wins in the series.

When Vader took the ball to a pep rally this week in Overland Park, there were many who doubted it could have been used in 1959. Former Wildcat Lynn Dickey even asked about its origin, and Vader reminded the legendary quarterback he used to come to the house years ago and play catch with Vader's sons.

"That ball hasn't been kept in a box on a shelf," said Vader, now an attorney. "I had two high school quarterbacks (Joe and Willie) who grew up with that ball. The ends are white and all frayed, but you can still see 'Kansas State' etched in the leather."

While watching the recent rains pelt his yard, Vader noticed the ball sitting pretty as you please in the deluge. His grandkids had left it there after playing with it.

Good ball, though.

"I don't remember ever putting air in this ball," Vader said. "It's kept air in it for 40 years."

Take that, Nike.

The treasure Osborne now cherishes, and also breaks out every year on Nebraska week, was almost discarded before he could ever claim it. While in graduate school at K-State, Osborne helped Ed Dissinger with the freshman team. One day in the coaches offices, Osborne noticed the staff weeding out old game film.

"I saw this big cannister and they were going to deposit it in the deep six," said Osborne, who now lives near Flush and represents the 61st district in the Kansas House of Representatives. "I noticed it was the game film from the 1959 game against Nebraska and jumped right in and told them, 'No, you're not.'

"I've kept it ever since. It was as if it was a spirit-led thing, where I was in the right place at the right time."

A few years ago Osborne had the film crew at K-State make a videotape out of the reel. He has sent off a few copies, including one to K-State president Jon Wefald and another to former teammate John French, the kicker who booted field goals from 45 and 37 yards that day against NU.

Osborne, who snagged six passes for 54 yards, also has his own copy, of course, which he popped in the VCR this week.

"I've always pulled it out the week of this game to get me fired up," he said. "It's sort of unique to have that tape. It brings back a lot of good memories."